Boston North End Little Italy

Guide to Boston's Little Italy

Discover the gems of Boston’s Little Italy with our helpful guide!
By Katie Sagal

From restaurant recs to local hotels and historic attractions, there’s plenty to do in Boston’s Little Italy!

Boston’s Little Italy, known to locals simply as the North End, is always a popular neighborhood to explore. The local population in this area is largely Italian — many have been in Boston for generations.

The North End is a neighborhood filled with sumptuous authentic cuisine, engaging cultural events, and historic buildings. We hope our guide to Little Italy will help you get the most out of this slice of Boston. 

Boston North End intersection

Where is Little Italy in Boston? 

For starters, remember that it’s really called the North End. Locals don’t refer to it as “Little Italy”. Asking for directions to that neighborhood may get you a few blank stares. The North End is in the area of the peninsula north of where Highway 93 runs through and under the city. 

Bordered by Massachusetts Bay on the other three sides, the North End is a small but densely-packed neighborhood, with very narrow streets and barely any parking. To get there, we recommend taking the T (the local subway train system) to Haymarket Station. 

Boston Little Italy

Best Restaurants in the North End 

It’s hard to narrow it down to just a few of the best Italian restaurants in Boston. But we’ve picked a few to get you started. They range in price and vibe, with most falling somewhere in the mid-tier price point. Due to the historic nature of the neighborhood, most are in smaller structures, with unique layouts and cozy dining areas. 

Little Italy in Boston signs

Best Pizza: Regina Pizzeria 

Locals will wait in lines for over an hour after the bars close for a slice at this iconic Little Italy pizza joint. But if you time your visit well, you won’t need to wait so long. Regina Pizzeria has been serving up delicious brick oven pizza in the North End since the 1920s. Keep in mind that it’s a counter-serve place, so you won’t find much seating indoors. 

Pizza in Boston

Best Southern Italian Restaurant: Antico Forno 

Antico Forno is a modestly-sized venue with a relaxed vibe. It is a mouth-watering spot for Southern Italian cuisine and Neapolitan-style pizza. They also boast a great wine list and delicious cocktails. The atmosphere is a perfect mix of classic Italian décor and historic Boston charm. 

Boston Little Italy houses

Best Date-Night Spot: Mamma Maria 

Mamma Maria is a romantic little venue in a beautiful townhouse. Travel experts regard it for its locally-inspired cuisine. The restaurant is organized around five private dining rooms, so it's an intimate setting for that special date. Local food critics love it too, making it a smart choice for visiting foodies. 

Best Special Occasion Restaurant: Tresca 

It doesn’t get much more Bostonian than a high-end Italian restaurant owned by one of the most famous athletes in the city’s history: NHL Bruins player Ray Bourque. The restaurant itself is elegant and upscale, offering mouth-watering cuisine with Tuscan inspiration. It’s the ideal spot for a special treat. 

Boston Little Italy North End

Best Italian Pastry: Mike’s Pastry 

Another place with lines out of the door on weekend nights. Mike’s Pastry is a legend on the Boston dining scene. It’s a small bakery but the display cases are chock full of classic Italian pastries. You'll find everything from cookies and cannoli to zeppole and tiramisu. Founded in 1946, Mike's Pastry have since opened a couple more locations in the Boston area.

Pistachio cannoli

Best Chain Italian Restaurant: Maggiano’s Little Italy 

This is technically located south of the North End roughly in the Back Bay area. Maggiano’s Little Italy is a reliable spot for family-style Italian cuisine. It’s a relatively upscale place but not too expensive, offering what feels like an elevated dining experience in a beautiful downtown neighborhood. 

Italian cuisine in Little Italy

Take a "Little Italy" food tour

Short on time, but still want to tuck into all the tasty treats the North End has to offer? Opt for a "Little Italy" food tour. You'll venture down old-world cobblestone streets, take in the aroma of fresh bread from bakeries, and taste some of the most authentic pasta dishes around. 

🍴Book the tour🍴 

Hotels Near the North End 

The North End is also close to a number of hotels. A few include the Courtyard by Marriott Downtown / North Station, Boston Marriott Long Wharf, citizenM Boston North Station Hotel, Kimpton Onyx Hotel, The Boxer, and the Bostonian. You’ll also find Bricco Suites in the North End itself. Just keep in mind that these hotels will come at a premium price due to their location. 

Hotels in the North End, Boston

Boston Attractions in the North End 

As a historic neighborhood in Boston, the North End offers plenty to do before (or after) you’re enjoying that special Italian meal. Want to make a day or a weekend of your visit to the North End? Check out a few of these popular spots. 

  • The Paul Revere House: Home of the famed silversmith best known for warning the Americans of incoming British troops. This historic house is open for tours and serves as a museum of the American Revolution. 

  • Old North Church: Dating back to 1723, this is where Revere ordered two lanterns to be hung to signal that British troops were coming by sea. It’s actually the city’s oldest surviving church building.

  • Copp’s Hill Burying Ground: A 17th and 18th-century burial ground, you can find many historical graves here, including the Mather tomb. Iconic Bostonians were laid to rest here, including Prince Hall, the anti-slavery activist. Edmund Hartt, the master carpenter who owned the shipyard that housed the USS Constitution is also buried at Copp's Hill.

  • Great Molasses Flood Plaque: Although it won’t take you long to look at this memorial to one of the most bizarre tragedies in Boston’s history, this plaque is also right near the waterfront, where you can see loads of ships sailing.

Boston North End sign

Save on North End Attractions 

Discover our full line-up of Boston attractions including the View Boston Observation Deck, the USS Constitution Museum and the Salem Witch Museum.

🤩If you want to see and do as much as you can, our All-Inclusive Pass is for you.

😎If you want to pick just a few attractions and visit at your own pace, our Explorer Pass is the perfect option.

So grab whichever Boston pass suits you and go explore the city's best bits!

Boston Harbour

Share your adventure with us

Tag @GoCity in your vacation photos and we’ll feature you on our page. Follow the Go City Instagram and Facebook channels for exclusive competitions, special offers, and events to help you make the most of your travels.

Continue reading

beacon hill boston
Blog

Things to do in Beacon Hill, Boston

Looking to spend your vacation in Boston, but not sure where to set up your home base? Why not try Beacon Hill? This affluent area of the city has plenty of things to see and do, as well as places to eat and drink. Take our word for it and read on, as we've done all the research for you! So sit back, relax and read on as we talk about the best things to do in Beacon Hill, Boston! Including: Parks Freedom Trail Walking Tour Massachusetts State House Weird gifts Dinner ideas and more! Common People Sometimes, even on vacation, you just want to relax in the great outdoors, breathing in the fresh air as birdsong fills your ears. Well, you're in Boston, so it's not like there are rolling hills of green or grandiose canyons to look upon. Instead, you'll need to go to one of Boston's great green spaces to get your fill of mother nature. Thankfully, Beacon Hill has some fantastic parks to prowl. Don't actually prowl them. You're not a cat. Firstly, why not stop by the country's oldest public park? Since the 1630s, Boston Common has been a popular destination for tourists and locals. Its 50 acres touch five of the city's main streets, two of which are in Beacon Hill. So it counts. Be sure to check out Brewer Fountain Plaza for some sweet social snaps. Or, if you like your plants more exotic and fancy stretching your legs a little bit more, Boston Public Garden is a stone's throw from the Common. The country's original botanical gardens, it's become rather famous for it swan-like boats, which many romantic comedies have used throughout the years. Besides all the amazing flora and the big swan boats, there's plenty of history to discover too, so feel free to take a guided tour if that's your thing. Or just sit down, relax, and drink it all in. Up to you. On the trail of freedom Boston's famous Freedom Trail also snakes its way into Beacon Hill. So, if you're feeling historical, curious about the nation's history, or just want to experience talking to someone in funny old-timey clothing, why not take a tour? This 90-minute, one-mile historic city tour follows Boston's world-famous red brick path. Participants will hear over 250 years of history come to life as they pass by Boston's historical sites, such as Boston Common, Massachusetts State House, Park Street Church, the Boston Massacre Site, and King's Chapel. Famous historical faces like Josiah Quincy, Henry Knox, and Phillis Wheatley will tell you their own stories and share lively anecdotes about the places, events, and drama of the American Revolution and beyond. Well, not really them. It's actors. Those guys are all long gone. If you even have just a fraction of interest in the country's independence or history, the Freedom Trail Tour is easily one of the best things to do in Beacon Hill when you visit Boston! The State of play If all the tasty history wasn't enough, why not make room for another course? Our dessert menu only has one historical item on it, a braised Massachusetts State House that's simply dripping with historical intrigue and information. The large, golden dome is visible from many parts of the city. As such, it's a beacon you should not miss. And how can you miss a beacon when you're in Beacon Hill? They offer free tours to all visitors, so why not go and learn some things? Oddities We've all been there. You're on vacation, and the expectation from your congregation is to bring them back gifts that will cause elation. But what gift do you get? Do you even know what they like? Don't worry about any of that. Go with your gut and head down to Black Ink. Inside, you'll find a world of curious oddities, from shot glasses to dinosaurs, weird baby toys to cat-themed chopstick rests. If it sounds strange and disparate, that's because it is. But it wears that randomness on its sleeve. Some of it is Boston-themed, and some of it is not. Well, it's better than a cheap postcard with a tacky tagline, isn't it? Winner winner get some dinner Let's move swiftly onto food, now. Beacon Hill has some banging restaurants to sate your well-earned hunger. These are our favs. Start your day off with a bang at Beacon Hill Bistro. Yes, it's a restaurant in a hotel, but after you've tasted their winning delights, you'll wish you had booked a room. Their crispy chicken hash with eggs is sublime, and a great way to pack your body with protein to power the day ahead. Looking for a nice lunch spot? Hit up Grotto for some classic Italian dishes with a twist. The Gnocchi with short ribs, mushrooms, and gorgonzola in a red wine sauce is something else. But they do steak too, if you're not feeling like a little Italy. For a classy dinner, fork out for No.9 Park. Diners are welcomed by a pricey tasting menu and wine pairing, as well as a dress code. No jeans and tank tops here. However, the food is as delightful as the elegant decor, with its nouveau-cuisine spin on Italian classics. Liquid Bold After all the dining and exploring, end the day with a couple of drinks. These are our picks for Beacon Hill's best boozers. For an unassuming pint or three, the Seven Ale House has you covered. Bringing some of that Boston dock attitude to this gentrified area, you can settle in for a drink and overhear the locals talking about the ball game or something. Or, enjoy the speakeasy vibe of Carrie Nation Cocktail Club. Cocktails are the name of the game here, mostly created with craft vodkas, gins, and whiskeys. Grab a couple, play a game of pool, and forget about all your troubles, if only for a few hours. And those are our picks for the best things to do in Beacon Hill, Boston! Want some more East coast goodness? Check out Boston's best museums.
Dom Bewley

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.

Thick check Icon